“The Prodigal” by artist Ron DiCianni

So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. – Luke 15:20

Within the next week or so, families across the land will greet loved ones who have traveled many miles to make it home for the holidays. My wife and I are no exception as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our son and daughter-in-law who is presently with child, our second grandchild!

They live as mentioned before in many of my posts, in the gorgeous mountains of North Carolina. We only get to see them in person maybe twice a year but thanks to technology and the internet, we are able to see them every week or so through Face Time. While I’m so grateful for this modern convenience which makes it possible to connect with them, there’s nothing like being there in person and sharing an embrace, conversation and just enjoying being in the presence of your loved ones.

As I was reflecting recently upon their arrival and being able to spend time with them and the other members of our family, I began to think about the “Home” coming of the prodigal son as Jesus spoke about in Luke 15.

The story goes that a man had two sons and one day the younger asked his father to give him his share of his inheritance which the father did. The younger son departed and went and squandered his wealth in wild living thus, the word “prodigal” which means “wasteful living”. Verse 14 reads that “After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.“How very often dear friend that you and I do this very same thing in that only after we have tried everything, spent everything, searched the internet, read books, spoke and listened to everyone else, including our own thoughts and reasoning, that only when we finally see that we are in need, that we then choose to return to our Heavenly Father.

As the story continues, this son finally came to his senses and thought about all that he had while in his father’s household and set to seek his father’s forgiveness while feeling ashamed and no longer felt worthy to be called a son. But a beautiful and remarkable picture of grace unfolded as the son was still a long way off. Verse 20 reads “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” The father immediately told his servants to get ready for a homecoming celebration For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (v.24)

Wow, what a beautiful representation of God’s forgiveness and grace for all of mankind. When we who had turned away and went astray as this prodigal son, leaving our heavenly Father’s presence only to eventually realize that He is all we really needed all along.

As you continue through this glorious season we call Christmas my friend, may you know that you always have a place that you can truly come Home to for the holidays. A home not made with human hands but with an eternal love expressed on a cross through Jesus by the shedding of His blood at Calvary. And our heavenly Father is always watching and waiting eagerly awaiting your arrival as His son and daughter ready to forgive you and celebrate your return Home.